Web-to-tube fastening clip



Feb. 23, 1965 A. HOPKINS 3,170,215

WEB-TO-TUBE FASTENING cu? Filed June 6, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 4 .5 a /3 I I 1 Z I k I? I ATTORN Y9.

Feb. 23, 1965 R..A. HOPKINS 3,170,215

WEB-TO-TUBE. FASTENING CLIP Filed June 6, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

A T TORNE Y5 York, N.Y.,'a corporation of Delaware gether.

Filed June 6, 1963, Ser. No. 285,947 3 Claims. (Cl. 24-265) This invention relates generally to collapsible deck chairs, chaise lounges or the like and is directed in particular to an improved fastening clip for attaching the strips or webs which form the flexible body support structure of the chair or lounge.

In general, the typical collapsible deck chair comprises a seat frame and back rest frame formed of tubular framing members (aluminum tubes) suitably connected to- The chair further includes a leg structure for support, and in most cases a pair of arm rests, also formed of tubular framing members. The flexible body supporting structure of the seat frame and back frame comprises strips or webs of flexible material. which are stretched in tension across the seat frame and back frames. The fastening clips of this invention, are intended for use in anchoring the opposite ends of the individual flexible strips to the tubular framing members of the seat and back rest frames.

One of the primary objectives of the present invention has been to provide a fastening clip for the flexible strip or web, which includes a compressible stud adapted to provide a snap fit with respect to an aperture formed in the tubular framing member, thereby adapting the strips to be applied to the seat and back frames in a rapid, convenient manner.

According to this aspect of the invention, each fastening clip comprises a clamping body adapted to be permanently attached by crimping to the end portion of the strip, the clamping body having a flat compressible anchor stud projecting outwardly from its forward edge. The stud is disposed generally .at an acute angle to the plane of the clamping body in the form of a hook adapted to be forced through the aperture formed in the tubular framing member. Upon being forced through the aperture,

the stud is compressed across its width by a wedging or camming action, then snaps outwardly toits full. width to resist withdrawal from the aperture.

Described generally, the flat compressible stud includes a wedge-shaped compression head at its outer end, joined to the clamping body by a neck portion having a restricted width. An open slot extends longitudinally through the compression head and neck portion to the clamping body to impart compressibility. The side edges of the compression head diverge outwardlyfrom the outer end of the stud toward the rear to form the wedge configuration. The diverging side edges, terminate rearwardly at a pair of circular recesses which form the neck and which delineate locking shoulders on opposite sides of the stud.

When the stud is forced under pressure into the aperture of the framing member, the diverging side edges of the'compression head create a camming action, causing the stud to be compressed across its width, such that the locking shoulders may be forced through the aperture; After the shoulders pass'through the aperture, the con cave surfaces which delineate the neck recesses, permit the stud to expand to its normal width, with the locking shoulders overlying the edges of the aperture at the inner surface of the tubular framing member providing'a selflocking action to anchor the compression head of the stud within the framing member independently of the tension of the flexible webbing strip to which the fastening clip is attached. This prevents the fastening clip from being detached from the framing member in the event that the webbing strip becomes stretched after prolonged usage.

A further objective of the invention has been to provide a fastening clip which is permanently attached to the opposite ends of the strip of flexible material and which securely anchors the strip to the framing members without depending upon the tension of the strip to provide the locking action, but which is adapted to be withdrawn from the aperture of the framing member to permit convenient replacement of the strips should they become worn or damaged after prolonged usage.

According to this aspect of the invention, the recesses which form the neck portion of the stud are delineated by inwardly converging surfaces extending rearwardly from the locking shoulders of the compression head.

These converging surfaces provide a carnming action to .upon the end portion of the flexible strip in a rapid, convenient manner.

Accordingto this aspect of the invention, the fastening clip is fabricated from sheet metal, comprising a flat stamping, generally rectangular in outline configuration and having a stamped-out portion which delineates the compressible stud. After being stamped, the flat blank is bent generally to a U-shape to provide a pair of limbs. The end portion of the flexible strip is then placed between the limbs, the limbs are clamped together upon the strip to form the clamping body. Thereafter the clamping body is crimped to a slight V-shape, with the flat compressible stud projectingat an acute angle from the forward edge of the clamping body ready to be forced through the aperture of the tubular frame member, as outlined above. The U-shaped cross section of the crimped clamping body imparts a high degree of longitudinal stiffness to the body, adapting it to resist the forces tending to how the clamping body longitudinally when the com pressible stud is forced under pressure into the aperture of the tubular frame member. The stiffness is increased considerably after the clamping body is crimped.

The improved fastening clip, as mentioned, is of par ticular advantage in assembling chairs in which thebody supporting structure is composed of individual strips of flexible material. In other words, the individual strips may be prefabricated with the'fastening clippermanently attached to its opposite'ends, permitting the Worker to anchor and weave or lace the individual transverse and longitudinal strips through one another in a'rapid con.- venient manner, and permitting the user to replace the warn strips conveniently.

Patented Feb. 23, 1965 tubular seat frame of a chair with the strips or webs anchored to the frame by the fastening clips of this in- 'vention.

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view of one 'the flexible strips of material, with the fastening clips of the invention clamped in place to the opposite end portions of the strip.

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 33 of FIGURE 2, detailing the fastening clip in relation to the flexible strip.

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged perspective view, further illustrating the fastening clip in relation to the flexible strip.

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged sectional view, taken along line, 5-5 of FIGURE 1, showing the fastening clip in anchored position with respect to the tubular frame member.

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged plan view showing the onepiece sheet metal stamping or blank from which the fastening clip is formed.

FIGURE 7 is an end view of the clip after having been bent to shape from the blank shown in FIGURE 6 and prior to its attachment to the flexible strip.

FIGURE 8 is an enlarged fragmentary view showing the compressible stud of the fastening clip, showing its relationship to the aperture of the tubular frame during installation of the clip.

FIGURE 9 is a view similar to FIGURE 8, showing the action of compressing the yieldable stud as it is forced through the aperture of the tubular frame.

FIGURE 10 is a view similar to FIGURE 9 showing the stud sprung back to its normal width and anchored in the aperture of the tubular webbing framing member.

FIGURE 11 is a fragmentary view taken along line 11- 11 of FIGURE 8, showing the rectangularaperture which is formed in the tubular frame to receive the stud.

Referring to FIGURE 1, the tubular frame 1 represents the seat frame of a collapsible deck chair or chaise lounge, utilizing the fastening clips of the present invention for attaching the flexible body support structure; The body support structure of the seat frame 1 comprises a series of individual webs or strips 2, formed of flexible material extending longitudinally and transversely of the tubular frame 1, and preferably laced or woven through one another, as indicated. The opposite ends of each flexible strip 2 are anchored individually to the tubular frame 1 by the present fastening clips, which are indicated generally at 3 in FIGURE 1.

In general, the tubular frame 1 (FIGURE 1) comprises a pair of parallel tubular side bars 44 and a tubular cross bar 5 extending across the front. It will be understood, at this point, that the frame also includes a second cross bar (not shown) extending across the rearward portion of the frame, parallel with the front cross bar 5. Each of the tubular bars includes spaced rectangular apertures 6 (FIGURES 8-11) arranged to receive the compressible stud or spur of the individual fastening clips 3, such that the flexible strips 2 may be drawn in tension across the parallel members of the tubular frame.

As viewed in FIGURES 2-4, each fastening clip 3 is formed of sheet metal, comprising a clamping body, indicated generally at 7, which is permanently crimped to the end portion of the flexible web or strip 2 and having a compressible stud, indicated generally at 8, projecting at an acute angle from the forward edge of the clamping body 7. The compressible stud 8 is in the form of a flat sheet metal tab residing in a plane parallel with the forward edge of the clamping body 7 and, as explained below, serves as an anchor for attaching the body 7 and its flexible strip to the tubular frame 1.

As best shown in FIGURE 5, the stud 8 is inserted through the rectangular aperture 6 of the tubular frame 1 so as to anchor the clamping body 7 and strip 2 securely to the frame member. The structure shown in FIGURE 5 represents the tubular side bar 4; however, it will be understood that the fastening clips are applied to the tubular cross bar 5 in the same manner. As shown in 4 FIGURE 5, the apertures 6 are wardly from a perpendicular line passing through the center of the tubular member, such that the flexible strip '2 passes around substantially the full diameter of the tubular member to provide a snubbing action.

In assembling the chair, the strips 2 are prefabricated, that is,.they are first cut to the proper length, then the fastening clips 3 are permanently clinched in place upon the opposite end portions of each strip. The strips are then secured in tension across the tubular members of the frame, simply by forcing the compressible studs 8 into the apertures 6 of the parallel bar members of the frame. The studs 8 provide a snap-on action with respect to the slots to securely attach the strips thereto. In other words, each stud 8 is slightly compressible and provides the snap fit when forced under pressure through the aperture 6.

Described in detail, each'fastening clip 3 is formed from a flat one-piece sheet metal stamping or blank indicated at It) in FIGURE 6. The central portion of the blank is suitably stamped to provide the open configuration 11 which delineates the compressible stud 8, with clearance surrounding the stud. In addition, the stamped out portion 11 includes a slot 12 which permits the flat stud 8 to be compressed slightly upon being forced through the aperture 6, as explained below.

After the stamping 10 is formed, it is placed in a pair of suitable forming dies and bent to a generally U-shaped formation (FIGURE 7) providing a pair of spaced limbs 1313, with the compressible stud 8 struck out from one of the limbs at the apex of the U-shaped clamping body 7. Thereafter, the end portion of the strip 2 (FIGURE 7) is inserted between the limbs 13-13, then the limbs are forced toward one another into pressure engagement with the opposite sides of the strip 2. In order to clamp the strip 2 more firmly, the folded limbs are crimped transversely as at 14 (FIGURE 3), thus imparting a slight V-shape to the assembled clamping body.

In addition to increasing the clamping engagement, the crimping operation causes the body portion 7 to conform, at least generally, to the curvature of the frame member 1 so as to nest thereon and improve the fastening action (FIGURE 5). It will be noted in FIGURE 5, that the stud 8 projects at an angle slightly less than a right angle from the forward portion of the body 7 in the final form of the fastening clip, that is, after the crimping operation. As noted earlier, the U-shaped cross section of the clamp ing body 7, particularly after the transverse crimp 14 (FIGURE 3) is impressed, imparts a great deal of stiffness to the body, adapting it to resist the forces tending to bow the clamping body when the compressible stud 8 is forced under compression into the aperture 6 of the tubular frame 1. In other words, the crimped body 7 has the double function of securely anchoring the end portion of the web 2 and also of imparting bending resistance to the body 7 to increase the compression force of the stud 8 (FIGURES 8-10).

As best shown in FIGURES 6 and 8-10, the compressible stud 8, in general, comprises a generally wedgeshaped compression head 15 joined to the body 7 by a neck portion 16 having a restricted width. The slot 12,

as noted above, extends longitudinally from the outer end of the compression head 15 and through the neck portion 16 to the body 7 to impart compressibility.

Described in detail (FIGURES 6 and 8-10) the compression head 15 is delineated by side edges 17-17 which diverge outwardly from the forward end of the head 15 toward the neck portion.' It will be noted in FIGURE 8, that the width A, at the forward end of head 15, is slightly less than the width B of aperture 6 to facilitate insertion of the leading end of head 15 into the aperture. The diverging side edges 1717 terminate at a pair of circular recesses delineated by the curved side edges 1818, which form the neck 16. The point of intersection of the diverging side edges 17 and converging curved side edges 18, delineate the locking shoulders 20.

located a few degrees in- 1" It will be noted in FIGURE 8, that the width of the stud across the shoulders 20, as indicated at C, is slightly greater than the width B of the rectangularaperture 6.

As the stud 8 is forced into the aperture 6, as indicated 7 j by the arrow-in FIGURE 9, the diverging side edges snaps outwardly'to its original width, as provided by the curved edges 18 of the recesses (neck 16) thus providing l a snap fit between thestud 8 and aperture 6. a The snap-in engagement of the stud, 8 thus anchors the fastening clip in a positive manner to the frame 1. Other wise expressed, the compressible stud 8 is self-locking with respect to its aperture 6 independently of the tension of the flexible strips 2; therefore, the strips 2 are held firmly and positively in place even though the strips become slack because of stretching after prolonged service. However, if necessary for replacement of worn strips, the clips may be disengaged from the tubular frame by prying them outwardly with a suitable tool such as a screw driver. The withdrawal force, thus applied causes the converging side edges 18 of the recesses to'cam against the ends of the aperture 6, thus compressing the head to permit its withdrawal from the aperture.

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. A fastening clip formed of sheet metal for securing a strip of flexible material to the frame member of an article of furniture, said frame member having a mounting aperture for anchoring said clip, said fastening clip comprising, a clamping body which is generally U-shaped in cross section, said U-shaped clamping body adaptedto be fitted over the end portion of a strip of flexible material and pressed in permanent clamping engagement therewith, said U-shaped clamping body, upon being pressed in clamping engagement with said strip of flexible material being thereby stiffened longitudinally, a compressible stud projecting outwardly from the forward edge of said clamping body and disposed at an acute angle to the plane of the clamping body, said stud being of flat formation and residing in a plane generally parallel to the forward edge of the clamping body, said compressible stud having a wedge-shaped compression head, a neck portion joining the compression head to said clamping body, said stud having an open slot extending longitudinally through said compression head and through the neck portion to the clamping body, adapting'the compression head to be compressed in the direction of its width, said compression head being delineated by opposed side edges which diverge outwardly from the outer end of the head toward the neck portion, said diverging side edges delineating opposed locking shoulders adjacent the neck portion, the distance across said shoulders being greater than the width of the neck portion, said stud adapted to be forcibly inserted into the aperture of said frame member, the distance across said aperture being less than the distance across the said locking shoulders, whereby the diverging side edges of the compression head are adapted to create a camming action relative-to the opposite sides of the mounting aperture to compress the head adapting the head and locking shoulders to pass through the aperture, said head adapted to spring outwardly after passage through said aperture with said locking shoulders overhanging the opposite sides of the aperture at the interior surface of the tubular member to confine the stud within the mounting aperture, the said U-shaped cross section of the clamping body thereby resisting the pressure developed by the compression head of the compressible stud to increase the clamping action of the fastening clip.

2. In an article of furniture having a frame formed of tubular material, a flexible support structure for said frame comprising, a plurality of'strips of flexible material, respective fastening clips for the opposite ends of said strips of flexible material, each of said fastening clips vbeing formed from'a one-piece sheet metal stamping having a clamping body which is generally U-shaped in cross section and clamped permanently upon the end portion of said strip of flexible material, said U-shapedcross section of the clamping body imparting longitudinal stiflriess thereto, a compressible studprojecting outwardly from the forward edge of said clampingbody and disposed at said stud having'awedg'e shaped compression head, a neck portion joining the compression head to the clamping body, said stud having an open slot extending longitudinally through said compression head adapting the head to be compressed in the direction of its width, said compression head being delineated by opposed side edges which diverge outwardly from the outer. end of the compression head toward the neck portion, the neck portion being delineated by opposed converging side edges, said diverging side edges terminating at said converging side edges and delineating opposed locking shoulders adjacent the neck portion, said tubular frame members each having mounting apertures formed therein adapted to receive said studs, the distance across each of said apertures being less than the distance across the locking shoulders, each compression head being forced under pressure into a respective mounting aperture whereby the diverging side edges of the compression head cam against the edges of the mounting aperture and compress said head, the said U-shaped cross section of the clampingtbody thereby resisting the pressure developed by the compression head to increase the clamping action of the fastening clip, the

compression head being expanded outwardly, with said shoulders underlying the internal surface of the tube on opposite sides of the aperture, said head providing a selflocking connection with said tube, the converging side edges of said neck portion adapted to cam against opposite sides of the aperture to compress the compression head, adapting the stud to be withdrawn from the aperture upon applying force in a direction to withdraw the stud from the aperture.

3. In an article of furniture having a frame formed of tubular material, a flexible support structure for said frame comprising a plurality of strips of flexible material, respective fastening clips for the opposite ends of said strips of flexible material, each of said fastening clips being formed from a one-piece sheet metal stamping having a clamping body which is generally U-shaped in cross section providing a pair of limbs clamped against opposite sides of the end portion of said strip of flexible material, said limbs being crimped across the width of the strip and'being generally V-shaped in cross section, the V-shaped cross section of the clamping body permanently attaching the strip of flexible material to the clamping body and imparting stiffness longitudinally of the body, a compressible stud projecting outwardly from the forward edge of said clamping body and disposed at an acute angle to the plane of the clamping body, said stud being of fiat formation and residing in a plane generally parallel to the forward edge of the clamping body, said stud having a wedge-shaped compression head, a neck portion joining the compression head to the clamping body, said stud having an open slot extending longitudinally through said compression head and through the neck portion, adapting the compression head to be compressedin the direction of its width, said compression head being delineated by opposed side edges which diverge outwardly from the outer end of the head toward the neck portion, said diverging side edges delineating opposed locking shoulders adjacent said neck portion, said tubular frame member having mounting apertures formed therein adapted to receive said studs, the distance across each of said apertures being less than the distance across the locking shoulders, each compression head being forced under pressure into a respective mounting aperture, whereby the diverging side edges of the com pression head cam against the edges of the mounting aperture and compress said head, the compression head being expanded outwardly with said shoulders overlying the internal'surface of the tubular material on opposite sides of the aperture after passage of the shoulders through the aperture, thereby locking the stud against withdrawal from the aperture, the said V-shaped cross section of the clamping body thereby resisting the forces developed by the compression head to increasethe clamping action of the compression head.-

8 References Citedby the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,873,881 8/32 Hall.

2,133,916 10/38 Churchill. 2,196,417 4/40 Kelsen.

2,201,387 5/40 Churchill. 2,444,873 7/48 Goldberg 160-404 X 2,966,206 12/60 Hartman 24265.3

. I FOREIGN PATENTS 124,008 4/47 Australia.

DONLEY I. STOCKING, Primary Examiner. 

1. A FASTENING CLIP FORMED OF SHEET METAL FOR SECURING A STRIP OF FLEXIBLE MATERIAL TO THE FRAME MEMBER OF AN ARTICLE OF FURNITURE, SAID FRAME MEMBER HAVING A MOUNTING APERTURE FOR ANCHORING SAID CLIP, SAID FASTENING CLIP COMPRISING, A CLAMPING BODY WHICH IS GENERALLY U-SHAPED IN CROSS SECTION, AND U-SHAPED CLAMPING BODY ADAPTED TO BE FITTED OVER THE END PORTION OF A STRIP OF FLEXIBLE MATERIAL AND PRESSED IN PERMANENT CLAMPING ENGAGEMENT THEREWITH, SAID U-SHAPED CLAMPING BODY, UPON BEING PRESSED IN CLAMPING ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID STRIP OF FLEXIBLE MATERIAL BEING THEREBY STIFFENED LONGITUDINALLY, A COMPRESSIBLE STUD PROJECTING OUTWARDLY FROM THE FORWARD EDGE OF SAID CLAMPING BODY AND DISPOSED AT AN ACUTE ANGLE TO THE PLANE OF THE CLAMPING BODY, SAID STUD BEING OF FLAT FORMATION AND RESIDING IN A PLANE GENERALLY PARALLEL TO THE FORWARD EDGE OF THE CLAMPING BODY, SAID COMPRESSIBLE STUD HAVING A WEDGE-SHAPED COMPRESSION HEAD, A NECK PORTION JOINING THE COMPRESSION HEAD TO SAID CLAMPING BODY, SAID STUD HAVING AN OPEN SLOT EXTENDING LONGITUDINALLY THROUGH SAID COMPRESSION HEAD AND THROUGH THE NECK PORTION TO THE CLAMPING BODY, ADAPTING THE COMPRESSION HEAD TO BE COMPRESSED IN THE DIRECTION OF ITS WIDTH, SAID COMPRESSION HEAD BEING DELINEATED BY OPPOSED SIDE EDGES WHICH DIVERGE OUTWARDLY FROM THE OUTER END OF THE HEAD TOWARD THE NECK PORTION, SAID DIVERGING SIDE EDGES DELINEATING OPPOSED LOCKING SHOULDERS ADJACENT THE NECK PORTION, THE DISTANCE ACROSS SAID SHOULDERS BEING GREATER THAN THE WIDTH OF THE NECK PORTION, SAID STUD ADAPTED TO BE FORCIBLY INSERTED INTO THE APERTURE OF SAID FRAME MEMBER, THE DISTANCE ACROSS SAID APERTURE BEING LESS THAN THE DISTANCE ACROSS THE SAID LOCKING SHOULDERS, WHEREBY THE DIVERGING SIDE EDGES OF THE COMPRESSION HEAD ARE ADAPTED TO CREATE A CAMMING ACTION RELATIVE TO THE OPPOSITE SIDES OF THE MOUNTING APERTURE TO COMPRESS THE HEAD ADAPTING THE HEAD AND LOCKING SHOULDERS TO PASS THROUGH THE APERTURE, SAID HEAD ADAPTED TO SPRING OUTWARDLY AFTER PASSAGE THROUGH SAID APERTURE WITH SAID LOCKING SHOULDERS OVERHANGING THE OPPOSITE SIDES OF THE APERTURE AT THE INERTIOR SURFACE OF THE TUBULAR MEMBER TO CONFINE THE STUD WITHIN THE MOUNTING APERTURE, THE SAID U-SHAPED CROSS SECTION OF THE CLAMPING BODY THEREBY RESISTING THE PRESSURE DEVELOPED BY THE COMPRESSION HEAD OF THE COMPRESSIBLE STUD TO INCREASE THE CLAMPING ACTION OF THE FASTENING CLIP. 